We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Anita Mumm a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Anita, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

Being able to earn a full-time living from creative work doesn’t happen overnight, but it can happen faster than you might think if you are conscientious about laying the groundwork. Before starting my editorial business, I did a lot of networking at writers conferences and other publishing industry events and built a following for my blog. When I launched the business, I continued to do those things, as well as guest blogs and as much word-of-mouth marketing as possible. It suddenly seemed like almost everyone had a friend who is writing a book or interested in writing one. It pays to open up about your passion for your current or future work.

Chris Guillebeau, an author and entrepreneur I admire, writes about how to create a side hustle, and that it is sometimes possible to develop that into full-time work. I don’t think editing was ever a side hustle for me, but I did combine it with other part-time work (such as teaching English as a Second Language, my former career) when I was getting started, and that helped with income stability. Looking back, I think I made a lot of great decisions, but one regret is that I didn’t understand how to value my work enough at the beginning and to charge what I was worth. I thought I had to put in a certain number of months or years before I could call myself “experienced,” when in fact I already had a great deal of industry experience and knowledge under my belt when I started my business.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

 

For almost a decade now, I’ve worked as an independent developmental editor, ghostwriter, and publishing consultant. What this means is that I help aspiring authors go from idea to manuscript to (hopefully) published book. Prior to starting my editorial company, I worked in submissions and foreign rights at a literary agency and taught writing workshops around the country. And before that, I taught English as a Second Language at college and nonprofit programs in the U.S. and abroad. Blending my skills as an editor and teacher, I combine honest feedback with a deep desire to help writers bring forth their best work.

My clients’ books have held top spots on the New York Times and other bestseller lists, earned starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Kirkus, and achieved international acclaim. I work with writers at all stages of their journey, whether it’s polishing their manuscript for submission to agents, self-publishing a high quality book, or simply getting the first draft on the page. I’m also a writer-for-hire; if someone has a great story but struggles with how to get it “out there,” they can enlist me as a ghostwriter or co-writer. I feel blessed to get to spend my time immersed in words and stories!

Is there a mission driving your creative journey?

What drives me is a desire to do work that feels meaningful and fulfilling. What that looks like is different for every person, but I think it’s universally important to find that or be striving toward it. I look for projects that align with my values and interests. Helping writers bring those stories to fruition makes me feel like I’m making a contribution to a brighter world.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One lesson that many creatives struggle with, myself included, is the idea that you can’t make a good living from your art, and that you should be satisfied with “just getting by.” After all, being a writer or visual artist or editor usually comes with a certain degree of freedom (you set your own schedule, etc.). That should be good enough, right? It took me a while to learn that it’s okay to expect more and deserve more–that you can and should be able to make a good, stable living doing what you love. No apologies necessary!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://anitamumm.com/about/

Image Credits
Stephanie Craig Photography (initial head shot only)

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